Cougars Open Camp With Two More Corners

On the eve of fall camp, Washington State added a little more depth to its roster in the spot where the Cougars needed it the most - cornerback.

The Cougars, who are heading into camp with two starters (LeJuan Gibbons, Chris Martin) and a host of question marks, secured walk-on commitments from two potential defensive backs - Octravan Underwood and Taylor Matson.

Underwood is the sixth San Francisco City College player to join the Cougars in the past two years. The 5-11, 185-pound cornerback is still waiting to be admitted to the team and cannot take part in practice until that happens.

Matson, who is the younger brother of WSU defensive end Austin Matson, played quarterback for Cascade High School and directed the school to the state semifinals. It is doubtful the 6-1, 180-pound freshman will see any playing time this season.

Washington State is also the lead contender for L.A. Harbor College cornerback Demetrious Williams.

“I told him if they offer he should sign,” said L.A. Harbor coach Wayne Crawford. “It would be a good fit. They need cornerbacks and he is a good one.”

The Cougars have not offered the 5-10, 180-pound Williams a scholarship because there are questions concerning his eligibility.

Both Crawford and Williams are operating under the assumption that he has academically qualified and can immediately enroll in a four-year university. But Washington State has some concerns about Williams’ high school transcript.

Williams, who has been consistently running 4.4 and 4.5 40s, does have four years of eligibility left after receiving a medical redshirt because of a shoulder injury last season. He has been pegged as one of the top Southern California JC cornerback prospects by recruiting experts and has been drawing the interest of almost every Pac-10 school and some Big 12 schools.

As for the recruits who signed back in February, they should be delivered by today.< Twenty-nine rookies are scheduled to report today. Thirteen of those players are incoming scholarship freshmen, four are junior-college transfers and the remaining 12 are invited walk-ons. The Cougars had four junior-college transfers enroll before spring practice.

“It’s a strong group,” said WSU coach Mike Price. “A couple of them are going to get some looks. We are going to give Deon (Burnett) a look. And I think Al Genatone is going to get a look.”

Whether or not the 6-foot, 210-pound Genatone makes an impact may depend on the status of linebacker James Price. Price led the Cougars with 115 tackles last season, but has been plagued by wrist problems even after surgery and repeated casts.

“Right now, he is on red alert,” said Mike Price. “And we may decide that a redshirt year is what is best for him.

“And Genatone, I think he can play,” the coach continued. “He’s such tough kid and real fast. It’s not like he is going to get a lot bigger and a lot better.”

Still Genatone will probably never rise above backup status this season, while Burnett could become a consistent player by the end of the season. The 6-foot, 205-pound Burnett might wind up as the only Cougars all-purpose back.

Burnett, who rushed for more than 5,000 yards in his high school career, arrived in Pullman two weeks ago to get prepared for fall camp.

Quarterback Matt Kegel arrived in Pullman Thursday full of optimism, which was tempered by only a few nerves.

“Right now, I’m ready and excited,” Kegel said. “The way I look at this is maybe I can come in and hopefully get a shot at earning the starting quarterback job.”

This statement is probably pretty close to the thought process going through most of the incoming freshmen’s heads. And it will probably remain in their heads until the veterans report on Aug. 10 and the hitting begins on Aug. 15.

“Yeah, I’ve been thing about that day (Aug. 15),” Kegel said. “I’m a little nervous about that. I’ve never been hit by guys that are that big and that fast. But that’s why I’ve been working out all summer.”

WSU camp Rookies report today; veterans report Tuesday.